December 2019

The Block Island Recreation Department is looking for ways to expand its programs for the island’s younger residents, particularly students in the upper grades at school. Recreation Department Dave Sniffen said attendance at the Recreation Room at Harbor Church attracts a pretty decent crowd on Friday nights, but he hasn’t seen many of the older […]

An old star has taken on a new shine at Sunset Hill. It’s a six-foot stick figure; a greeting to neighbors, an announcement of the season, a symbol of community. In recent years, it was stored away only to await rediscovery. I found it this way: Having moved into the basement apartment, the under porch

The Island Free Library is trying to give local caregivers a bit of a break. Starting next month, the date has not yet been set, caregivers can drop their family members or friends at the library for a couple of hours of activities so the caregiver can either take a breather or catch up on

“It’s simple, but complicated,” said Judy Gray. The “it” is growing native plants from seed, the subject of a workshop hosted by Kim Gaffett and Clair Stover Comings on Dec. 16 at the Island Free Library, with special guest Hope Leeson, botanist with the R.I. Natural History Survey. “It was an idea Clair and I

At its most recent meeting the Planning Board continued its review of new zoning ordinance language that would impact development in the Old Harbor Commercial Zone. The language change, which has been proposed by Lark Hotels, would allow additional special use standards for hotels and inns, and would also allow accessory hotel rooms as a

The Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18 was a marathon, lasting about four hours, with debates and votes on a wide variety of topics. Topics of discussion and some action included language impacting moped licenses, the creation of mobile food establishments, updates on the Harbor Management Plan, the current state of the Visitor Center,

Block Island children, their parents and even a few grandparents in tow, gathered downstairs at the Island Free Library for the time-honored tradition of making gingerbread houses on Saturday, Dec. 14. It’s one of the Island Free Library’s most popular and well-attended events, according to Youth Services Librarian Morgan Walsh. Tables were festooned and overflowing

With the Town Council throwing its support for a special Financial Town Meeting to vote on a $2.3 million water main, the Water Company is now in a waiting game with the federal government for grant monies to support the project. Water Company Supt. John Breunig told the members of the Water and Sewer Commssions

The Block Island Housing Board had good progress to report on its Cherry Hill Lane affordable housing development at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Landscaping bids will be solicited; all the prospective homeowners have paid their deposits and are moving through their mortgage approval process; and as of that morning, six of the 16

In an effort to promote Rhode Island during the off-season, Rhode Island Commerce and the state’s tourism office, has created the first-ever Hotel Week, which kicks off Jan. 18 and runs through the end of the month. Block Island Tourism Director Jessica Willi made the announcement at the Tourism Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11.